On Sunday, June 10th, 2012, the Hancock Leadership Class of 2012 will be hosting a Little Miss & Little Mister Bicentennial pageant in conjunction with the Bicentennial Festival. The pageant will begin at 1:00 p.m. on the stage in the north grandstands at the Hancock County Fairgrounds. All contestants must be between 3-6 years of age as of June 1, 2012.

There will be two age categories; 3 and 4 year olds and 5 and 6 year olds. All contestants will be judged on stage in the following categories: Appearance, Stage Presence/Poise, and Personality. The contestants will be interviewed on stage as a part of the judging process.

The Little Miss & Little Mister Bicentennial winners will each receive prizes. We will also award prizes for other categories i.e. Best Smile, Most Personable, etc. as we would like all of the participants to leave feeling like they have won! The winners of the Little Miss & Mister Bicentennial pageant must be available to participate in the Bicentennial parade on Thursday, June 14th.

If you are interested in entering, please send a $20.00, non-refundable check made payable to the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber Foundation; and mail to Findlay-Hancock Chamber of Commerce, Hancock Leadership Attn: TK, 123 E. Main Cross St., Findlay, OH 45840. Entry deadline is June 1, 2012. Along with the entry fee, please include the registration form and permission form.

Details and Schedule

FAMILIES INVITED TO CELEBRATE TOGETHER AT BICENTENNIAL FESTIVAL

Celebrate Findlay’s Bicentennial “family style” at the Bicentennial Festival presented by The Hancock Leadership Class of 2012. The two-day festival, to be held at the Hancock County Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10, will offer activities for all ages, including the Bicentennial Battle of the Bands and Little Miss/Little Mister Bicentennial Contests.

Admission to the Festival is $5.00 per carload. Admissions and parking are located at the Sandusky Street entrance to the Fairgrounds. Handicap parking is available. Walk-in admission prices are $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for children.

On both days, local businesses and non-profit organizations with displays in the Merchants Building will offer activities for children. The Hancock Historical Museum will display information about Findlay’s history and attendees can don “old-fashioned” attire and have their photo taken for purchase. Information on upcoming Bicentennial events will be presented and Bicentennial attire and souvenirs will be available for purchase.

Visitors are encouraged to bring an item to include in the Bicentennial Time Capsule to be buried later this year and opened in 2062. The cost to include items in the time capsule are: $1.00 for children and $5.00 for adults; companies and organizations can place items for $25.00.

The Festival will “officially” begin at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, June 9 with an Opening Ceremony in front of the Merchants Building.

Festival hours on Saturday, June 9 are from noon to midnight. Following the Opening Ceremony, area Girl Scouts will commemorate the organization’s 100th Anniversary with Girl Scouts Rock Findlay!, a celebration of song, at the Gospel Pavilion. Other activities include:

Noon to 8 p.m. – Inflatables for children ($1.00 per ride), Hickle’s Pony Rides ($3.00 per ride) and other activities for kids

Noon – Bicentennial Battle of the Bands. Performances by local bands (members are age 25 and younger) in the North Grandstand. Following the performances, one band will be chosen to play later in the evening.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – 4-H Junior Leadership Petting Zoo

2 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Dunk Tank

4:00 p.m. to midnight – Beer Garden behind the North Grandstand

5 p.m. – Enjoy music by local favorite, “Reunion Band,” in the North Grandstand

7 p.m. – Performance by the winner of the Battle of the Bands in the North Grandstand

8 p.m. – Dance to the sounds of “Blood Sweat and Beers,” performing in the North Grandstand

Sunday, June 10, activities

All day – Inflatables for children ($1.00 per ride) and other activities for kids; Dunk Tank

Noon to 1 p.m. – Findlay High School Pantasia Steelband in the North Grandstand

1 p.m. – Bicentennial Little Miss/Little Mister Contests in the North Grandstand. Come and watch young members of our community compete for the titles and the opportunity to ride in the Bicentennial Parade on June 14. Two age categories: 3-4 and 5-6.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Visit with Muddy and Muddonna from the Toledo Mudhens

3 p.m. – Performances by dancers from Becky’s School of Dance

About Hancock Leadership:

The Hancock Leadership program is designed to develop and cultivate all people with a passion to serve our community through a dynamic learning experience that encourages self-discovery, fosters relationships and inspires stewardship. The HL program is a nationally recognized nine month seminar program sponsored by the Findlay•Hancock County Chamber of Commerce and is designed to foster and promote volunteer leadership resources within the community on a planned, continuing basis. Visit www.hancockleadershipalumni.com to learn more about how Hancock Leadership alums are helping our community.